MANAGER Tom Killick admitted the opportunity to re-sign defender Will Spetch had been too good to turn down – despite Poole Town’s dearth of attacking options.

Spetch, 22, has returned to Tatnam on a non-contract basis following the termination of his full-time deal at Conference South club Sutton United by mutual consent.

The left-sided centre-half shot to prominence having come through the Dolphins ranks and trialled with Cherries and several other Football League clubs before embarking on what proved to be an injury-plagued spell with the Us from March.

Killick has made no secret of his search for a recognised striker on limited funds this season but rebuffed any suggestion that boosting the Southern League Premier Division’s meanest defence would be a waste of resources.

Poole’s manager told the Daily Echo: “I think it is widely acknowledged that Will is one of the best, if not the best defender in this league and if you get the opportunity to sign someone of his calibre then you have to go for it.

“He is a really versatile player who can slot in anywhere across the back and do a job in defensive midfield while there is a personal element to it as well.

“I have a lot of affection for Will, the same as he has for the club. He may go on to play higher up the pyramid but at the moment, it suits everyone for us to provide him with the environment to enjoy his football while hopefully making the most of his talent.”

Killick continued: “The club has never stood in my way in terms of getting a forward. We have Richard Gillespie coming back in a couple of weeks while bringing back Josh O’Hanlon at some point remains a possibility.

“I wanted Will back and he wanted to be here. The financial agreement is relatively modest and when you have the opportunity to improve your team with such quality, you have to be keen to take it.

“We have saved money by not renewing Mike Gosney’s loan and have decent options in attack with Jack Maloney coming in and Gilly’s return just round the corner.”

Meanwhile, Killick hopes to have Michael Walker and Carl Pettefer fit for the visit of North Leigh in the FA Trophy first qualifying round at Tatnam on Saturday (3pm).

Keith Emmerson is likely to be sidelined for another week with a sprained ankle, while the tie “may come too soon” for Spetch according his manager.

“We’re just making sure everything is okay and assessing his fitness to see how quickly he can play. He was due to take part in an under-21s game but it was called off so we will have to see how he trains before making a decision,” added Killick.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Dickson, Martin, Jermyn, Whisken, Burbidge, Lindsay, Devlin, Brooks, Roberts, Maloney, Lowes, Munday, Pettefer, Walker, Spetch, Manley.